goddessofmagicxiv

[goddessofmagicxiv]

my writing process is as follows

figure out what the point is

meander vaguely in the direction of the point

jiggle the words around until they make a shape my brain likes

make the piece publicly available

realize the point changed behind my back to something entirely different partway along

click edit, jiggle the words around until they better suit the new point while making a shape my brain likes

click post again

realize I made a typo in the edit but 3 people have already reblogged it so there's no point fixing it now

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #2: sway

The ship rocked back and forth, battered by the waves outside. A storm had blown in unannounced, and the crew had just barely gotten all the passengers below decks including Yuza and her chaperone, whose name she couldn’t recall. She had only known him a few weeks, and since he spoke nothing but Hingan in her presence, she could only guess at a name.

All the turbulence the sea could muster was comparatively tame to her though; she’d been moving around her entire life. Staying in one place for too long made her uneasy, in fact, so the tilting back and forth of the boat was like a mother rocking her baby to sleep, or at least she assumed it was.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

With the large hrothgar killed in action, and Raelthota, the almost-as-large roegadyn leading the group back through the catacombs, the task of taking the unresponsive captain back to the surface falls on V’lhora, a miqo’te barely larger than the captain herself, and barely able to keep steady. Bringing up the rear are Tatanna, physically and aetherically drained, and Commander Heuloix, whose attention is focused on the area around the rest of the party, paying little attention to the threat behind him.

A cultist, either overlooked in the initial descent or left to recover from their wounds, slashes a dagger across the back of the commander, who spins around to retaliate. The lone, crazed cultist is no match for the head of the Yellow Serpents, who is able to fend off the attacker, even with his freshly wounded back.

With Tatanna unable to heal him with conjury, the commander is bandaged, but insists on remaining in the back of the group. No one else is able or willing to put up much resistance, so they continue up the stone stairs leading to the entrance of the catacomb.

The squad themselves are racked with worry; after a pyrrhic victory such as this, would they be allowed to continue to operate? Or would the Voidsent Investigation Patrol be dismantled, and each of their members sent to every other corner of Eorzea? ...Would that be preferable?

Serpent Commander Heuloix, however, has been thoroughly convinced.

The realm needs them.

>Previous: Crux

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #1: crux

Radz-at-Han may not be an obvious choice, as far as vacation destinations go, but the beaches rival any you’ll find across all Hydaelyn. Bright sun, warm waters, and a cool breeze constantly and gently blowing across the beach make for perfect conditions, traveling merchants sell all manner of tasty treats and refreshing drinks, and buskers play soft music that melt your troubles away...usually. For Yuza Jones, this was oddly not the case.

The waves lapped at her feet, and the sand crunched beneath them as she walked along the beach. Something about the whole scene seemed to be urging her to relax, but she couldn’t, nor could she place exactly why.

Why not just chill out? Take off those heavy shoes and rest her feet in the water? It was her vacation, she was off duty and had been every since....well, it had been a while. No one was going to come running across the beach, shouting about some...whatever it was she used to do, that needed her immediate attention. Not all the way from...wherever she came here to escape from.

Bah, no point in worrying about it. A vendor selling cool beverages makes his way up the beach, so Yuza stopped to buy one. Surely a tropical drink would calm her mind, and get her the change in attitude she’d come to achieve, and had the drink not tasted like bitter medicine, it might have done so.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Serpent Captain Yuza Jones, leader of the Voidsent Investigation Patrol, lies on the cold stone floor, motionless save for her breathing, as Corporal Cecily Webster pours a slow stream of a revitalizing tonic into her mouth, to no avail. Sergeant Second Class Raelthota Blanwydawyn scans the dark crypt for any more enemies, and V’lhora Phaj, a civilian, mourns over her fallen comrade, Zdrathgar Salanyasch.

The immediate danger has passed, as the entity possessing Private Tatanna Tanna had released her from its control, and the remaining lesser aberrations had been banished. However, the unconscious bodies of the captain and the private have to be extracted from the catacombs, and since their Twin Adder escort, Commander Heuloix, is still to make his report on their actions to the Seedseer’s Council, the future of the entire squad rests in his hands.

>Previous: Season One

>Next: Sway

[goddessofmagicxiv]

FFxiv 30 Day Writing Challenge SEPTEMBER 1st - 30th, 2020

Welcome to YEAR 4 of our annual FFxiv 30 Day Writing Challenge, folks!

In 2017 we saw 2,451 written pieces ranging from three-lined haikus to multi-paged stories. 2018 ramped up even more with 3,641 written pieces, and 2019 ended with 6,543 written pieces counted! 

That means that in 3 years you’ve collectively written 12,635 pieces for this challenge!! That’s amazing!

Here’s the gist:

Runs from September 1st - 30th, 2020. During that time frame:

Visit sea-wolf-coast-to-coast​ once a day at 12:00pm (noon) PDT for the prompt of the day. Convert to your timezone accordingly. All prompts will be one word or brief phrase that you can interpret however you please.

You have 24 hours to write something for that prompt.

Submit the link to your entry post via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/2x9GYu73YTVbPAeR8

There are no length or skill requirements (short & sweet is fine!).

There will be no 24-hour deadlines for the first week, September 1st - 7th.

Makeup/extra credit days every Sunday.

Every entry posted within its 24-hour deadline will count toward a participation prize raffle at the end.

You can join any time with any prompt #! There’s no need for latecomers to start with prompt #1. Picking up with the most recent prompt is A OK.

If you’re an artist and you would like to volunteer to do a simple black & white illustration as a participation prize at the end of this challenge, you can volunteer here!

RULES & MORE INFO can be found here: https://ffxiv-write.carrd.co/

(( banner art by @dantinmikannes ))

Rules & Info || Prompt List || #FFxivWrite2020 || kofi

[goddessofmagicxiv]

VOIDSENT INVESTIGATION PATROL: SEASON ONE

....is the name i’ve given to this chuck of stories, written as a part of ffxivWrite2019.  i’ve compiled everything i’ve done so far into this nice table of contents, for anyone who wants to check it out all at once.

#1: voracious - a banquet.

#2: bargain - a deal.

#3: lost - a wrong turn.

#4: shifting blame - a mistake.

#5: vault - a solo mission.

#6: first steps - an origin story.

#7: forgiven - a misunderstanding.

#9: hesitate - a diplomatic mission.

#10: foster - an unpaid internship.

#11: snuff - an interrogation.

#12: fingers crossed - a debriefing.

#13: wax - a letter.

#14: scour - a men in black reference.

#16: jitter - a campfire chat.

#17: obeisant - a sleeper agent.

#18: wilt - a wanderer.

#19: radiant - a progress report.

#20: bisect - a message.

#21: crunch - a return.

#23: parched - an awakening.

#24: unctuous - a half-truth.

#25: trust - a reunion.

#26: slosh - a hang sesh.

#27: palaver - a chaperone.

#28: attune - a plan.

#30: darkness - a confrontation.

with 2020 coming up, I needed a refresher! so maybe other people might like to check it out too!

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #30: darkness

As the newly lit torch's light spilled over the catacomb's first chamber, the insects that feasted on the carrion here retreated away, into the shadows. Tam Tara Deepcroft is home to several different kinds of insects, many of which break into coffins and dine on the nobility interred here, a fate no better than a commoner placed in a lowly grave. Death is equitable like that.

As planned, Koenbryda Styrngeim would lead Mina Toragana and Teulzacq in making sure this area stayed secure, from the aforementioned pests, as well as anyone (or anything) that may wish to follow them into the catacombs. The fourth member of the backup squad, Tatanna Tanna, would accompany the others, as she has blossomed into a skilled conjurer, and her healing touch may be needed in the deeper caverns. If this went well, she would be a shoo-in for the primary squad.

The Order bigwig assigned to accompany the unit and report their progress to the Council was Serpent Commander Vorsaile Heuloix, leader of the Yellow Serpents. Captain Jones had hoped he'd stay with the backup crew, but that was a pipe dream.

It had only been a few weeks since the last sojourn into the depths of the Deepcroft, but already there were swarms of hungry insects looking for a fresh meal--and plenty larger predators hunting them. They were no threat to the VIP, who were cutting their way through bug and beast alike, making their way to the bottom of the crypt.

Past the midway point, the Cult of Dalamud had bolstered their ranks since being nearly routed, and put up a more brutal resistance this time. Having spent even longer in the dark, eating the creatures that preyed on the dead, further corrupted their warped minds, leaving them all the more eager to lay down their lives to halt the advance of the intruders. Commander Heuloix had heard of their zeal secondhand, but seeing it person sent a chill down his spine. He was only meant to observe the mission, but he was glad to lend his spear to put down the packs of wild cultists. There were no casualties on their side, but that mostly spoke to Tatanna's skill than anyone else's.

Koenbryda had been keeping an eye on them, from the top of the cylindrical cavern that made up the Deepcroft, but as they progressed deeper and deeper down, they became harder to see, eventually disappearing in the sea of darkness. She called to them on the linkpearl telling them as much, and since nothing was trying to follow them into the dungeon, all the backup squad could do was hope for the best.

Further in the caverns they met the vodorigas, which had proven deadly mere weeks ago; now they barely put up more of a fight than the cultists. Knowing that it was more effective to pick them off one by one made it a safe fight, and their combined strength and skill made it a short one. Other voidsent would stand between them and the end of the catacombs, imps and slimes and such, nothing they hadn't seen before, and nothing they couldn't handle. Only when they had reached to bottom of the Deepcroft did they encounter a new foe.

The torch's light barely lit up the space they were standing in, seemingly being pushed back in a losing battle with the shadows themselves. Raelthota Blanwydawyn needed the light to read from her spelltome, and since she could hold one in one hand she held the torch. As she turned back to find a brazier she could light, she gasped (almost audibly). The path they'd taken was gone, replaced by an abyss which swallowed up the torchlight even more ravenously.

At the front of the party, Zdrathgar had a torch in one hand, and a sword in the other. The path before him had ended, the pit before him hungrily staring up at him. He looked back over his shoulder at the captain, who responded with a look he’d never seen before--one of immeasurable fear, directed at the ground just in front of him. He was filled with the same fear as he swung back around.

Looking back at him from the darkness, just off the cliff’s edge, was a pair of lalafellin eyes, glowing red with malice.

@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast @safestsephiroth

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #28: attune

The Voidsent Investigation Patrol arrived in Bentbranch via aetheryte; marching to Tam Tara on foot would've given their presence away much sooner.

Yuza Jones had bought all the time she could to plan the mission, and despite the high confidence of her subordinates, her own was waning.

The secondary squad would remain at the top balcony overlooking the large cylindrical tube that comprised the majority of the catacombs, holding off anyone who might try to follow them in, as well as warning them of dangers ahead via linkpearl; while the first squad, led by the captain herself, would work their way down into the abyss, and hopefully discover what the cultists had done to invite this evil into their home, a scant few weeks ago.

>Next: Darkness

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #27: palaver

Captain Jones' worst fears had come to pass: the Council had sent someone to supervise the return mission to Tam Tara Deepcroft.

This was bad for the VIP for two reasons.

First, the casual, laissez faire style that Captain Jones and Sergeant Renault maintained in the barracks would be replaced with the uptight rigmarole the Order demanded. They appreciated having a relaxed atmosphere between missions, to contrast the dire significance their duty held.

Second, not only had the Council's pressure to commence the Tam Tama mission reached a head, but they also couldn't employ the unique improvisational tactics they'd collected from their many walks of life, which have gotten them out of many tight situations; the Serpent Commander now watching over them would report whether they followed standard Order procedures while engaging a decidedly non-standard enemy.

If they didn't follow protocol, the unit could be de-established; if they did, they could be killed.

>Next: Attune

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #26: slosh

The mulled wine in Yuza's flask had grown cold, but it'd be rude not to offer it. She shook it temptingly in front of her, and Zdrathgar and V'lhora looked at each other, waiting for the other to take it. When neither of them did, she took a sip of it herself, and sat it on the desk behind her.

She was trying to establish an air of informality, to hopefully show she wasn't mad at them for chasing the enemy through a voidgate, but proud. She lifted herself up and sat atop the desk, crossing her ankles and folding her hands casually in her lap. "You don't remember anything, of the other side?" Yuza's voice had taken on a uncharacteristic lilt, and it only served to make her troops more nervous.

"N-no ma'am," stuttered V'lhora. "We put a hurtin' on the eyeball monster, he turned tail to the gate, and we went in after it....next thing, we were wakin' up in the desert." Zdrathgar nodded in agreement, but remained quiet, for fear of also stuttering in front of the boss.

Yuza let out a "hmmm." She'd hoped to corroborate Corporal Garrichande's story, of a land devoid of everything but destruction; that way she could stay his execution. Then again, she'd lied to the council before. "Do you have some way of contacting the... well, the surviving Ixal? I don't suppose you gave them a linkpearl, or some such."

V'lhora continued to respond for the two of them. "Nope, we were packing light for that mission. Weren't expectin' to meet anyone on the way out." She'd begun to catch on to the light mood the captain was trying to encourage. Zdrathgar hadn't yet, and once again simply nodded.

"I see. Well, thank you both, that's all for now." The lilt in her voice had completely melted away by this point. "Try and get some rest tomorrow, report back for duty the day after." She waved them off, with a weak smile.

After they were gone, Yuza sighed. Another pull of the cold mulled wine washed away the dryness in her mouth from speaking so much.

They were still lacking in intelligence, but she couldn't put off the mission back to Tam Tara much longer.

>Next: Palaver

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #25: trust

He did trust her....didn't he?

First Sergeant Renault left the Adders' Nest, as the embers of doubt began to flicker within him. Last he heard, the two from the first squad had gone missing, hence the rest of the VIP, plus the captain going to find them.

As he reached their office, he noticed a lalafell in Ul'dahn garb, swinging his feet off the edge of the bench opposite the door, who gave him quick once-over, and stood to greet him. "You must be Serpent Sergeant First Class Renault. I'm with the Immortal Flames. We have your troops."

----------------

The airship ride from Gridania to Ul'dah was just long enough for the Flame Sergeant to ease Renault's fears; Zdrathgar and V'lhora had been found in the Sagolii Desert, and despite being mum about what they were doing or how they got there, the Flames showed them hospitality and gave them succor from the heat, fetching their superior in the meantime.

As he was led to the room that the lost pair were resting in, Renault began running scenarios in his head, trying to preemptively spin their predicament to Captain Jones, or worse, the rest of the Order.

His thoughts were interrupted by a massive form taking him in an embrace, as Zdrathgar scooped him up in a hug as soon as they entered the room. "Apologies, Sergeant, but it's good to see a familiar face." He released Renault from his grasp, and V'lhora simply gave him a cheerful wave, saying "Hope we didn't worry ya!"

Renault straightened his uniform, and nodded to the miqo'te. "Of course not, you guys know what you're doing. I'm sure...chasing the enemy through their own portal? Made sense at the time?" He shrugged as he spoke.

First Sergeant Renault really didn't know how that stuff worked, he just dealt with the paperwork. All he could do was trust them.

>Next: Slosh

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #24: unctuous

If I we forced to admit it, lying for the captain is my least favorite part of the job.

Aye, sir. The first squad is conducting reconnaissance in and around Tam Tara, thus a return mission is still in its planning stages; we’d prefer not to have a repeat of the last one. An onze of prevention, and all that. 

Granted, how awry those missions often go can stay between us.

Not quite, they’re still not cut out for missions of that level of importance. If I had to make an estimate, I’d put their skill level at about that of the first squad to go to the Deepcroft. They’ve much to learn still.

...

The captain, herself, sir. After working for her for all this time, I’d fain allow her tutelage guide them along the path.

Yikes. That seemed a bit glib.

As a matter of fact, the two teams have been working together on many occasions. For instance, Private Toragana and Sergeant Webster have been participating in wargames with the Wailers.

Again, with varying levels of success. If were taken more seriously, maybe we’d be performing better...Matron guide me, the inverse is also true. I suppose it’s a vicious cycle. 

Aye, sir. I trust the captain implicitly.

Thank you, sir. Wood’s will be done.

>Next: Trust

[goddessofmagicxiv]

being a writer is like *googles synonym for bad* *googles synonym for happy* *googles synonym for tired* *googles synonym for walked* *googles synonym for

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #23: parched

The sun beat down on V’lhora, as she regained consciousness. She jumped to her feet and whipped out her wand, since the last thing she remembered was fighting off voidsent invaders, just outside the portal at the Ixali campsite.

However, the situation she found herself in was extremely different from the dark forest--it was the middle of the desert, in the scorching midday. She tried to gather her memories; how did she get here? She was fighting some strange heretofore unseen creature, a winged one eye deal...and Zee was there...oh no! Zdrathgar!

She looked around the ground nearby, and saw a hrothgar shaped lump a few yalms away. Her memories failed to develop past the one-eyed voidsent as she ran towards her partner. He slowly stirred as she called to him, and didn’t have the same knee-jerk reaction as he regained consciousness. “Lorrie? Wh-what happened? Gods, when did it get so hot?” 

V’lhora winced at the nickname (aware of the double standard, having just called him one, albeit to herself), but helped him remember the fight with the voidsent that burst through the gate, particularly the one with a single eye. He reached for his waterskin, took a sip, and offered it to V’lhora. “Here, drink,” he said, scratching at the back of his head. “Yeah, I remember that thing. Chased it back into the gate, we did.” 

V’lhora, drinking deep from the waterskin, recalled that as well. “Ohh right! You left a signal for the team, yeah?” Zdrathgar began to wrinkle his brow. “Hmm. I sure hope so! Can’t remember shite else. Either way, I doubt we’re getting a rescue all the way out here...wherever here is.” He took the waterskin back from V’lhora, and took another small sip. 

>Next: Unctuous 

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #21: crunch

The sound of leaves being stepped on brought Euneaux Garrichande back to his senses. He looked up at the Guardian Tree before him--it was alive! And the colors were back to normal! Such vibrant greens and brilliant whites were almost painful to look at. 

He simultaneously noticed the sounds of insects chirping, frogs croaking, animal life was all around him again! He was back home, in the Shroud that he’d been away from for many moons.

The crunching of the leaves on the ground behind him continued, and he turned to see the source of the noise. It was a Padjal, with a hand at her wand, approaching carefully. “This is sacred ground, you know,” she mumbled, as the two made eye contact. “The elementals don’t take kindly to people napping here.”

Euneaux jumped up and scrambled toward the Padjal, wrapping her up in an embrace. “Oh sweet Matron! How good it is to see another soul!” The Padjal, sensing the strange behavior of the Elezen, silently patted Euneaux’s back. He eventually tore himself away from her, and asked what the date was. The Padjal’s response indicated he’d only been gone one moon, as opposed to the several he’d spent walking through the damned version of Eorzea.

He had to get back to Gridania, and tell someone what he’d experienced. At best, it was some hallucinogenic effect caused by some yet unheard-of creature in the Shroud. 

At worst, it was a grim portent of a coming Calamity.

>Next: Parched

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #20: bisect

The partition that ran up the middle of the Voidsent Investigation Patrol’s office had been removed; the primary and secondary squads would be working together. The expedition to the Ixali voidgate required everyone’s attention.

As the captain began to brief them on their mission, an uneasy feeling began to rise within them. Ixali territory? Sleeping next to a voidgate? This was all extremely dangerous, and maybe too much for just the eight of them. Yuza did say she would accompany them on the mission, so that made the count only nine, but having her presence  would put their worries at ease. She’d never led them into anything she herself couldn’t handle. 

------------------

They had come across the campsite where the Ixal and Zdrathgar and V’lhora had stayed--and where the voidgate was. However, none of them were currently present, save for one dead Ixal, who had been cut in half through the torso.

Everyone began fanning out, searching the area for signs of what took place, and when it took place. There was clearly a struggle here, never mind the dead ixal, but the tents had been torn down, the trees around the campsite had been struck with weaponry and magic, not to mention the dead ixal, whose wounds didn’t resemble those made by conventional weapons or natural beasts. Most disturbingly, 

It was Mina Toragana who found the only clue left behind--a “P” carved into the trunk of a near by tree. The primary squad would make a sign that things had gone off script, whenever Plan A was no longer an option. Plan A was, of course, to exterminate voidsent threats. Plan B was to draw them away from populated areas, so someone would draw a “B” near where they had left the ascribed patrol route. They didn’t have a Plan P, so that left Yuza racking her brain, trying to figure out what that meant. 

>Next: Crunch

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #19: radiant

Maybe it was the sun setting behind her, but standing before the Elder Seedseer, Yuza couldn’t help but think Kan-E-Senna was some kind of angel. Was she this “Matron” the First Sergeant spoke of so often?

She was to report the goings on of the Voidsent Investigation Patrol to the Council every so often, but she found herself tongue-tied, even more so than usual. Yuza was almost intimidated by her presence, but was eventually able to utter the progress of their ongoing missions. 

The primary squad typically worked independently, and on separate tasks. If a mission was dire enough to require the full might of the A-Team, Yuza wouldn’t bring it up here.

Serpent Sergeant Second Class Raelthota Blanwydawyn had recently attempted an interrogation of a voidsent entity, which was less fruitful than she was willing to admit in front of the council. 

Corporal Cecily Webster worked best alone, and the captain was content to let her lurk around in the shadows. She mostly followed false leads, but it was important work nevertheless.

The civilian adjunct V’lhora Phaj, accompanied by Serpent Sergeant Third Class Zdrathgar Salanyasch, made contact with a peaceful group of Ixali outcasts, and were collaborating with their investigation of a voidgate in contested lands.

The secondary squad was still working to gain a sense of camaraderie, and wasn’t fit to pit against the voidsent menace just yet. They all had room to grow, but the lalafell, Tatanna Tanna had grown so much since she joined the unit. Serpent Captain Yuza Jones was eager to track their growth. but they still had work to do.

The Elder Seedseer listened attentively as Yuza told her about the VIP’s endeavors, with no small amount of pride in her voice. She wasn’t not proud of them, but she had to oversell it, mostly to reinforce the necessity for the unit’s existence. 

When the captain had finished her briefing, the council gave her the same uncomfortable looks as when she arrived, but the smile that the Elder Seedseer gave as she thanked her for her report could’ve blinded her.

>Next: Bisect

[goddessofmagicxiv]

prompt #18: wilt

Serpent Corporal Euneaux Garrichande had stopped counting the moons since he arrived in this eighth hell, as he’d taken to calling it. At least, he thought it had been moons. The sun never set here, so time seemed not to move at all. He never grew tired or hungry--loneliness and despair took their places.

He had been all across Eorzea, and the destruction he found in Gridania had spread to Thanalan and La Noscea as well. He hadn’t found a soul throughout Eorzea; the wind was his constant companion. 

Having found nothing in southern Eorzea, and nothing better to do, he decided that Coerthas, to the north of the Black Shroud, would be his next destination. Of course, that meant he’d have to trek back through the forest, which he was beginning to dread.

As he walked through the forest, wind rustling through the leaves above him, he walked past the path leading to Everschade, where the Guardian Tree stood. Maybe visiting the elementals’ sacred space will reveal some clue about this cursed realm, or a way out.

As he made his way up the path, grisly, withered roots broke through the ground and the walls on either side of him. He’d never been here before, but he knew this wasn’t normal. On reaching the grove, he saw the reason for the dead roots: the Guardian Tree was dead. Every onze of life that might have lived in the great tree had been sapped away, and an rotten husk had taken its place. 

The sight left him sick to the stomach. Unable to vomit, he lost consciousness.

>Next: Radiant